Steelers try to buy the Steeldogs, League says NO

[DimTim]

Bob’s written another piece today giving a more details

https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/ice-hoc ... gs-4229417

You have to wonder if the NIHL is in a state of flux.
A) Two new teams moved up this year, Hull who have rejoined & Bristol,
B) looking to possibly move to IHUK rather than EIHA affiliation,
C) no fixtures announced as yet.

[ginger]

Essentially, you have a number of people who've been dreaming that the EIHL will collapse and NIHL will be the top league in the UK, and essentially go back to the old Heineken days with 3/4 imports and rest brits.

Supposedly this will improve GB hockey.

It's absolute cobblers, but essentially driven by people who were bitter about the ISL, and hope therefore that the EIHL collapses in a similar manner. Add to that the under current of Steelers hate which I think is mainly down to previous owners and Dave Simms, and this is where you end up.

If people actually cared about GB hockey, then they would be advocating this style move. It creates a proper pathway. It has to be done right, but it's overall the best way.

No surprise that ego in British hockey has got in the way again

[ginger]

And to illustrate some of my points

"So the EIHL League Chairman can try Control the NIHL & fill it with Imports....." (Admittedly that's from Marc Twaite on Twitter and let's just say I wouldn't take heed of much he says), but that's essentially the opposition.

Another comment (from someone a bit more worth some time)" Does it need to improve? Yes
Can some EIHL ideas be of use in the NIHL?
Has Tony Smith shown he's the right man to do that given his past words and actions? Hard no

Give me Belfast, Cardiff or Coventry's ownership and...well I'd still have reservations but less of them"

Apparently since Tony said there's not enough Brits good enough coming through, they had to put up import level. The disagreements come in part because lots of NIHL watchers think there's enough elite league talent there to sustain EIHL teams, whereas the prevailing view from EIHL owners (ultimately coaches) saying there isn't (especially at a reasonable price for talent level).

In a nut shell, Steelers will never be forgiven for perceived past mistakes by some. Cardiff, Belfast etc shown exactly the same level of desire with Brit development as the Steelers but will never have to take the same level of hate

[mark]

Twaite has an axe to grind against the EIHL and the Steelers so anything you read from him has to be filtered through that to strain out the bitterness but as Ginger has just explained they are more interested in protecting their own positions and wallowing in ancient history than in reacting to a changing world, they resented massively the rise of the Steelers and the ISL and are still butt hurt about it, as for Simms.. well yeah I'll forgive them that one as he reaps what he sows but it's still wrong that they cannot see the bigger picture and move on, big fish in a little pond comes to mind. If this was a hostile takeover I'd support the right of the Dogs to remain independent but as it has the support of the Dogs owner I support their right to make their own decisions about their future.

[Shaun]

Let me get this straight:

Smith said there weren’t enough EIHL quality Brits so the EIHL had to increase no of imports.



He then puts his money where his mouth is to buy the Steel Dogs to develop the pathway for Brits to the EIHL and the previous comment is being held against him.


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[ginger]

Let me get this straight:

Smith said there weren’t enough EIHL quality Brits so the EIHL had to increase no of imports.



He then puts his money where his mouth is to buy the Steel Dogs to develop the pathway for Brits to the EIHL and the previous comment is being held against him.


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Pretty much! The anti Steelers bias has been around a long time (30 years nearly!), and this is what you are seeing now from a number of the comments.

Personally I think the block that's been set up isn't to do with Brit development at all. I think it's more financial with my guess being someone else wants to buy the Steeldogs. Brit development etc is probably just added (or allowed to be speculated on) as it's easier to persuade a lot of fans who around the league who definitely have anti Steelers or anti EIHL bias

[steelerblue]

Ignoring where players are born, the gulf in ability between the NIHL and the EIHL is as wide as the Peak District.
There's a reason why Zimozdra is backing up the Steeldogs, and Greenfield the Steelers.
They're both above .900 goalies in their respective creases, but one is at a higher level.
Jordan Hedley was third choice for GB at the recent World Championships. He spent a few years at the Blaze, but was never first choice and is now at MK.
No disrespect intended to Jordan, but if Bowns and Whistle went down, GB would not be at the top level.
He played a few minutes for Blaze last year but didn't sparkle because he isn't world class. (You could argue that neither are Bowns and Whistle, but that is a different discussion.)
Who is next in line to back up GB? Apart from Warburton, are you aware of any young goalie coming through?
Bowns is 32 years old, Whistle is 28, Hedley is 26.
Who is the young buck who will be there in five years time?
Kerlin? Norton? Warburton? Oldale? Brine?
Who knows, because neither league is developing them.
I'm led to believe that the Storm have signed a goalie coach for the season which should benefit Oldale, but that is an exception to the rule.
I applaud Tony Smith for trying to get a link established and putting the cash up to back himself.
However, our success at GB level is down to luck and timing, having a decent crop of players in this generation.
Until the leagues get more professional, and the culture of dads coaching their kids (and putting their mates' kids on the same top line) we'll never be up there with Finland, Sweden, Russia, USA, Canada etc.

[Jayboy]

Let me get this straight:

Smith said there weren’t enough EIHL quality Brits so the EIHL had to increase no of imports.



He then puts his money where his mouth is to buy the Steel Dogs to develop the pathway for Brits to the EIHL and the previous comment is being held against him.


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Yeah that's pretty much it in a nutshell, the story is they would have sanctioned the deal if any other if the EIHL teams had offered same terms, even for Steeldogs... Its a Sheffield at no cost brick wall..

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[ginger]

Worrying tweet from Bob Westerdale. Sounds like EIHA potentially will remove Steeldogs from the league (NIHL)

I heard a few things but don't want to say anything just yet as given how serious it is, if any of it is not quite correct, I wouldn't want to give people the wrong impression.

The one thing I will say is a few tweets from those who will definitely know what is happening alludes to what I've heard is pretty much on the money. Put it this way, if correct there is no bad light/blame on either the Steeldogs or the Steelers

[Shaun]

There was a twitter feed from 4000 and counting which whilst not saying anything used choice words that would get me in trouble to describe the league.


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